Prime Minister Tony Blair surprised the House of Commons today by saying that both Manchester and Blackpool should get super-casinos if there was sufficient investment.

At prime minister's questions Mr Blair said the government hoped to bring forward proposals "very shortly" to introduce regional casinos.

The development should it come to pass would get culture secretary Tessa Jowell out of a political hole and save face for the ruling Labour Party.

In January Manchester was named the preferred site for such an attraction at the expense of Blackpool, whose supporters said it would benefit more and be suited to best.

Peers rejected plans for 17 casinos, including one super-casino, in March.
 
When Manchester was recommended by the Casino Advisory Panel, it was much to the shock of two frontrunners - Blackpool and the site of the former Millennium Dome in London.

Both houses of Parliament have already passed the Gambling Act - paving the way for the new casinos - into law with the plan for one trial super-casino.
 
But peers rejected the Gambling Order backing the decision to build the super-casino in Manchester, by just three votes.

On Wednesday, Labour MP Graham Stringer, who represents Manchester Blackley, urged the government to ensure the casinos were built.

Mr Blair said: "Personally I have never seen the reason why we should have Blackpool and Manchester pitted against each other," he said at question time.

"If the investment is there and able to be done, let's do both of them."

He said only Conservative intervention had jeopardised the Manchester casino, whereas Labour's original plan would have allowed super-casinos at both Manchester and Blackpool.
 
Manchester's backers remain confident they will get the UK's first super-casino, but main rival Blackpool believes it has been given an opportunity to alter the decision on the attraction's location.